Stand with the US Bishops against the HHS

Learn Latin

A Message from Pope John Paul II

"To be actively pro-life is to contribute to the renewal of society through the promotion of the common good. It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop." ~ Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, n.101

Everything is grace, everything is the direct effect of our Father's love.Everything is grace because everything is God's gift.Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events -- to the heart that loves, all is well.

What They're Saying About Catholic Fire

"Thank you Jean, you are a beautiful soldier for the cause. I appreciate your superb work. Keep it up!"
Lisa Mladinich
Amazing Catechists and Catholic Mom Puppet Show Ministry

" I’m amazed at your blog. I can barely get out one post a day and sometimes you have a few (and I now know how much work it takes to do that). You do a great job! "
Michelle, Unborn Word of the Day

"When I read your blog, I just want to comment on everything, your insights are just so on-key!" Leticia, Causa Nostrae Laetitiae and Cause of Our Joy.

"I enjoy your blog every day. It is the best Catholic blog out there. Thank you so much for all the work you put into it!"
Ellen Gable, author, "Emily's Hope"

"I love the zeal Jean puts into her posts, especially when it comes to the prolife movement." Esther, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

"Jean of Catholic Fire...provides so much informative content. She posts about pro-life issues and events, what happened 'on this day', biographies of saints, prayer intentions, and lots more each day. No matter what she's posting about, I can always come away each day feeling uplifted...and that's saying a lot for me, as I'm someone who often tries to avoid thinking about some of the political and other issues that she posts about. It must be her strong faith and trust in God, as well as her love, shining through her posts, that inspire me." Margaret Mary Myers , Reflections, Catholic BVI Readers, VIP Homeschooler.

RSS Feed

Credits

Thursday, October 17, 2013

October 17, 2013. (Romereports.com) These black and white photographs, are much more than just artistic shots. They make up a photographic biography of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This exhibit in Rome, shows both his life and his deeds.

VARTAN KARAPETIAN
Armenian Embassy to the Holy See
“There are so many St. Gregories in the Catholic Church, but the surprise will be to discover the Armenian St. Gregory.”

The Armenian St. Gregory is remembered for his role in converting the nation to Christianity back in the year 301. In fact, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion.

But getting to that point wasn't easy. During a pagan ritual, the king discovered that Gregory was Christian. As punishment he was tortured and sent to this underground well where he lived for over a decade. After miraculously healing the king, he was set free.

VARTAN KARAPETIAN
Armenian Embassy to the Holy See
“After he was released. He baptized the Armenian king and turned Armenia Christian.”

A church was built near Mount Ararat, on the site where he was imprisoned. Now it's one of the most popular pilgrimage sites.

Veneration of St. Gregory is present in both the Armenian and Catholic Church. In fact, there's a statue of St. Gregory, in the Vatican, on an exterior wall of St. Peter's Basilica. Back in the year 2000, John Paul II donated some of St. Gregory's relics to Armenian 'Catolicos.'

VARTAN KARAPETIAN
Armenian Embassy to the Holy See
“There is a second part of the exhibit that focuses on the dissemination of his relics. The presence of St. Gregory in Constantinople, Rome, Nardò and so on."

Through this exhibit the Armenian Embassy to the Holy See is not only celebrating the legacy of St. Gregory, but also a new chapter in its diplomatic relations with the Vatican. In the summer of 2013, Armenia issued its first resident ambassador to the Holy See. It's a connection that in a way, traces back its roots, to the evengelization and legacy of St. Gregory the Illuminator.